jobsmission.com

May 2014

Transition Field Guide for Veterans: Education,

Employment and Entrepreneurship after Service As you transition out of the military, you will face many different and difficult decisions. One of the

most important decisions for you and your family will be what path you take to gain meaningful

employment. This field guide lays out four paths you could pursue and then explains each step

along the way. The four paths explored include: entering the job market, obtaining further training

or certification, going back to school and starting a business. While each servicemember’s

situation is unique, the following field guide is designed to ensure that you are better prepared for

this transition and don’t miss a step along the way.

Official DOD Photo

May 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 Introduction and Infographic

4 Prior to Leaving Military Service – Understand Your Career and Education Opportunities

5 Prior to Leaving Military Service – Take Advantage of Helpful Government Resources

6 You’ve Decided to Seek Additional Training or Obtain Certifications Before Your Job Search

7 You’ve Decided to Enter the Job Market – Kick Networking into High Gear and Get Your Resume

in Top Shape

9 Your Job Search

11 Prepare for Interviews and Land the Job

12 Accept Your New Job

13 You’ve Decided to Go Back to School – Decide which Schools You’ll Pursue, Understand Deadlines

and Study for Entry Exams

14 You’ve Decided to Go Back to School – Complete the Application Process and Choose Your School

15 Navigating Your Education Benefits

16 You’ve Decided to Start Your Own Business

2

May 2014

INTRODUCTION

The transition from military service to civilian life requires that you make many different and difficult decisions.

Additionally, since there are so many resources out there, it may be daunting to find the best tools to aid your

transition. While each servicemember’s situation is unique, the following field guide is designed to ensure that you are

better prepared for this transition and don’t miss a step along the way.

This graphic provides some of the pathways to civilian employment. Checklists associated with each path are

designed to help you uncover the questions and resources you need to successfully make the transition from military

service to the civilian workforce.

3

May 2014

PRIOR TO LEAVING MILITARY SERVICE –

UNDERSTAND YOUR CAREER AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.

Ideally, you’ll start developing your plan 12 to 18 months before separation. Start by asking yourself a few questions:

what do I want to do, where do I want to live and what steps do I need to get there? As you begin to answer those

questions, keep in mind what career and/or education opportunities exist in the geographic location where you plan to

relocate after military service. If your family situation allows, seek out geographic areas with highest job growth

potential. Next, consider the following steps:

Research the various paths to the civilian workforce:

• Direct employment/enter the job market

• Further training or certification into employment

• Higher education into employment

• Entrepreneurship/start a business

Assess your job skills and interests and then

determine how they relate to today's job

market. Determine the necessary skills and

degree/certification requirements for those

positions. Some helpful tools include:

• The Department of Labor’s list of fastest

growing occupations for the next decade.

• Top states for job creation in 2014.

• The Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop and

O*Net OnLine are helpful resources to search

for potential occupations including those with

high growth job opportunities.

• The DoD MWR Library provides study guides,

printable sample tests, resources, articles, and

other related links for various examinations

ranging from academic test prep to career and

certification prep.

• If you are considering going back to school, take the

Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) for Military

Success to assess your reading comprehension,

vocabulary, and math skills.

• If you are considering starting your own business,

visit Operation Boots to Business, an

entrepreneurship program operated by Syracuse

University (SU) in cooperation with the U.S. Small

Business Administration (SBA).

Assemble your initial network by putting together

a list of people who might help with leads for job

searches. (You’ll work to expand your network

later in the process.)

Draft your resume and ask your contacts for

feedback. (You’ll refine your resume later in the

process. Career One Stop has great resume

resources.)

Create a profile on LinkedIn; take advantage of

the free upgrade for veterans.

4

May 2014

PRIOR TO LEAVING MILITARY SERVICE –

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HELPFUL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES.

Once you’ve done a little bit of research and understand your options, take advantage of the government resources

available to you. Consult your personnel office to verify your actual date of separation, retirement, end of contract or

EOS. If you will have unused leave on the books, determine whether selling it back or taking it as terminal leave is the

best option for you, from both a financial and timing perspective.

Attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

workshop. Attend the tracks relevant to your post-

service career plans: Career Technical Training

Track, Education Track, and Entrepreneurship

Track. TAP will also give an overview of the VA

benefits process. Access the transition tools

available by branch of service:

• Army Career and Alumni Program

• Marine Corp's Transition Assistance

• Navy Transition Assistance Management Program

• Air Force Transition Assistance Program

• Coast Guard Transition Assistance Program

If you have a service connected disability or if you

are planning to file for disability, attend the

Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)

workshop as well. If you will have a service

connected disability rating, consider how you may

use Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

benefits for career transition.

Determine what paperwork is necessary to

support your separation, discharge or retirement.

Review, copy and retain copies of all of your

personal and medical records.

Investigate the possibility of no-cost TAD/TDY

orders for job search/transition. Likewise, see if

you qualify for permissive temporary duty (PTDY)

to support this.

► TIP:

Set a goal of doing one transition-related activity each week: research, speak with a recruiter/headhunter, meet a contact for coffee, ask your contact for 5 additional people he/she would recommend you meet, read a professional development book, go to a job fair, etc.

5

May 2014

YOU’VE DECIDED TO SEEK ADDITIONAL TRAINING OR OBTAIN CERTIFICATIONS BEFORE

YOUR JOB SEARCH.

Let’s face it, the job market is competitive. Obtaining additional training and/or certifications before pursuing

employment will give you a competitive edge over other applicants.

To the extent possible, don’t wait until after

separation to pursue training and certification

programs. Use all available military training

programs, career preparation programs and/or

certifications offered by your unit.

Enroll in the Veteran Career Transition Program

(VCTP) operated by the Institute for Veterans and

Military Families at Syracuse University. It is

completely free for post-9/11 veterans and military

spouses. The coursework is delivered online so

can be accessed from any location at any time.

There are three tracks that lead to industry

certification: technology and operations, human

resources and professional studies.

For apprenticeship opportunities and training

programs nationwide, visit the Registered

Apprenticeship Program and the Department of

Labor’s list of apprenticeship and training

programs searchable by state and county.

6

May 2014

YOU’VE DECIDED TO ENTER THE JOB MARKET –

KICK NETWORKING INTO HIGH GEAR AND GET YOUR RESUME IN TOP SHAPE.

You have decided to reenter the civilian workforce. There’s no exact science for finding a job; it’s about timing,

preparation and job availability. At this point, you should finalize all necessary documents for your job search and

network as much as possible.

Continue to expand your network. Consult and

network with other veterans. Ask your contacts to

recommend 5 other people with whom you can

discuss career options and get advice.

As you expand your network, find mentors who can

give guidance and introduce you to people. Consider

individuals who have successfully managed the

transition and those who are in the industry you

have targeted for your job search. Ask them to help

identify knowledge, skills and traits needed for

employment in your target industry.

Arrange informational interviews with people in your

network. (This is a very common practice in the

civilian workforce so don’t feel guilty for requesting

someone’s time.) Remember to send thank you

notes to those you meet.

If you haven’t already, create a profile on LinkedIn

and take advantage of the free upgrade for veterans.

LinkedIn is a very helpful online networking tool and

your LinkedIn profile will turn up in top search engine

results. Keep your profile updated, relevant and

professional.

Remember recruiters often check job applicants’

social media pages. Don’t have anything online you

would not want a recruiter or hiring manager to see.

Refine your resume based on job descriptions that

interest you.

Your Verification of Military Experience and

Training (VMET) Document (DD Form 2586) could

be helpful in describing your training and

experience for your LinkedIn profile and resume.

Put together a portfolio of your work. Include

resumes, reference list, separation paperwork,

awards, diplomas, academic transcripts and

certificates of completion.

► REMEMBER:

Recruiters often check job applicants’ social media pages. Don’t have anything online you would not want a recruiter or hiring manager to see.

7

May 2014

YOU’VE DECIDED TO ENTER THE JOB MARKET –

KICK NETWORKING INTO HIGH GEAR AND GET YOUR RESUME IN TOP SHAPE. (continued)

Draft a cover letter that you can adjust for various

job opportunities. Career One Stop has great

sample cover letters and interview tips.

Budget for your job search and track expenses

and save your receipts. Many of your job search

costs may be deductible on your tax returns.

Use voicemail to your advantage. Ensure the

outgoing message on your voicemail is

professional and business-like in content,

instructions, and delivery. Remember these points

when you leave messages in your job search as

well. Often, your voicemail is your first impression.

Complete (at least) one proactive job search activity every day: submit a job application, follow

up on an existing application, ask for an

information interview, check job boards, make a

call to your network, attend a trade or association

meeting or volunteer for an organization.

Remember to send thank you notes to those you

meet.

► CHECKLIST:

Resume

Cover Letter

References

Separation Paperwork

Awards

Academic Transcript

Thank you Note

Update LinkedIn Profile

8

May 2014

YOUR JOB SEARCH.

To the extent that you can, begin applying for jobs 6 months prior to separation. (This is not always a quick process so

starting early will only work to your advantage.) Again, there’s no exact science for finding a job; it’s about timing,

preparation and job availability. Exhaust all options – and know that recruiters want to hear from you.

• Consider using a professional recruiter. Some free

recruiter directories include recruiterlink.com,

onlinerecruitersdirectory.com, searchfirm.com and i-

recruit.com. You can also search for recruiters’

profiles online by doing a keyword search on

networking sites such as LinkedIn or Doostang.com.

• Use tools such as skills translators and job search

engines to match military job codes with civilian

opportunities. Don’t rule out jobs as a result of using

these tools. Some hiring managers and recruiters

will use these tools. Understand results so you can

address why jobs are good fits with your skills and

experience.

• Since translators use different algorithms, be sure to

use multiple tools to increase the number of job

opportunities to review.

• Visit your state and local employment services,

especially the Local Employment Veterans

Representative. Additional veteran resources are

listed on the DOL website.

Research job openings and submit applications to

job postings of interest. Make sure your resume

includes key words from the job description.

Here are helpful online job resources:

• The 100,000 Jobs Mission website provides profiles

of more than 140 companies that are committed to

hiring veterans as well as a Veteran Talent

Exchange where you can upload your resume to

connect with those companies.

• Most federal government jobs can be found on

USAJobs. Both the Department of Labor’s O*Net

OnLine and My Next Move for Veterans provide

crosswalks between military codes and civilian job

titles.

• Private sector and nonprofit jobs can be found on

LinkedIn, indeed, idealist and Monster. Review

major business and industry coalition websites for

jobs from military-friendly companies: 100,000 Jobs

Mission, Hiring Our Heroes and Hero 2 Hired.

• Military.com’s online skills translator can help match

civilian jobs to your military occupation and training.

• Attend job fairs and/or career conferences. Visit

Hiring Our Heroes for upcoming hiring fairs by

location.

9

May 2014

YOUR JOB SEARCH. (continued)

Join industry or professional association(s). Join

local military and veterans groups where you want

to relocate – both online and in-person. Join or

renew your membership in professional societies,

alumni organizations, and trade associations.

Target those organizations that offer career

transition programs and sponsor networking

events.

Review civilian trade journals, newsletters,

business magazines, newspapers and blogs.

Complete (at least) one proactive job search

activity every day: submit a job application, follow

up on an existing application, ask for an

information interview, check job boards, make a

call to your network, attend a trade or association

meeting, or volunteer for an organization.

► JOB SEARCH RESOURCES:

LinkedIn

indeed

idealist

Monster

100,00 Jobs Mission

Hiring Our Heroes

Hero 2 Hired

10

May 2014

PREPARE FOR INTERVIEWS AND LAND THE JOB.

You have spent all of this time and energy looking for a job – don’t stop now! Invest in preparing for the interview.

While it might feel boastful to emphasize your

individual skills and experience, you should get

comfortable fast. Recruiters want to hear details

about how you led teams, were responsible for the

lives of your comrades and most certainly want to

understand the training and awards you have

received.

Obtain a list of questions you might receive in an

interview. Prepare your answers, including

identifying strengths and weaknesses. Be ready to

discuss how your skills can benefit the

organization and what you have learned from your

shortcomings.

Practice answering questions in front of a mirror,

video camera or with a friend. Ask for feedback.

Practice speaking without using military acronyms

and jargon.

Determine the appropriate attire to support your

job search and interview activity, and then shop

accordingly.

Research the company and the people you are

meeting on interview day.

You should always have at least one question to

ask the recruiter as it shows you truly are

interested in the company and the role. For

example, “what will an average day on the job

look like?” (Avoid salary questions in the first

interview unless the recruiter brings it up.)

Answers to your questions should help you

understand whether the job and the company are

a good fit for your career goals.

Find out if the company has an employee network

for military veterans. If they do, you may want to

connect with fellow veterans during the interview

process to learn more.

Use voice mail to your advantage. Ensure the

voice message on your phone is professional and

business-like in content, instructions and delivery.

Often, your voicemail is your first impression.

Remember these points when you leave

messages in your job search as well.

Send a follow up thank you letter after your

interview. Keep a copy of all correspondence for

each company.

11

May 2014

ACCEPT YOUR NEW JOB.

After reviewing your job offers, comparing

benefits, and evaluating future growth

opportunities, you should accept the offer you

believe provides the best prospect for your

career. If you respond verbally, you should also

respond in writing. Maintain copies of your

acceptance letter for your records.

Now is the time to reinforce your positive

impression with your new employer, as well as

with individuals at other companies with whom

you have spoken in your job search. If you do it

right the first time, you’ll have the beginnings of a

strong network to propel you forward in your

career.

Once you have accepted the best offer, inform the

other companies that may be considering your

resume that you have accepted another position.

You do not need to provide details, but be clear

that you appreciate their consideration and look

forward to staying in touch. Thank those who

have been of assistance to you in your job search

and transition to the civilian workforce.

Maintain relationships with your mentors and

network, as a strong network is a primary key to

continued career advancement.

Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your new

job!

Join your new company’s employee network for

military veterans. Fellow veteran employees are

great resources as you start your new job.

Find a mentor within the company who can help

you navigate your career.

Learn if your company provides volunteer

opportunities. That’s a great way to meet new

colleagues and continue giving back to the

community.

12

May 2014

YOU’VE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL –

DECIDE WHICH SCHOOLS YOU’LL PURSUE, UNDERSTAND DEADLINES AND STUDY FOR ENTRY EXAMS.

To the extent that you can, begin to research

academic programs 12 to 18 months before

separation. Determine which trade schools, colleges

or universities have the training program, certification

or degree you need to pursue your target career.

To ensure that you don’t miss critical dates make sure

you clearly understand each institution’s application

and selection cycle.

Keep in mind occupations that are on the Department

of Labor’s list of fastest growing occupations for the

next decade. You may also consider colleges in top

states for job creation.

Focus on academic institutions with strong, veteran-

friendly reputations. These institutions can be found

by using resources such as Military.com.

Schedule and prepare for college entry exams such

as CLEP, SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT. Visit the

Education Center on your military installation to take

academic entrance exams, college admission tests or

challenge exams. This service is free to active duty

servicemembers, but be sure you are prepared to take

the exams. Some exams, like CLEP, have a waiting

period before you can retest; for example, CLEP has a

180 day waiting period before you can retest on a

CLEP examination with the same test title.

Request and obtain sealed original copies of your

academic transcripts (including high school) to

avoid future delays when applying to schools.

Determine if you can obtain college course credit

for your military experience and training. Talk with

your admissions counselor about transfer credit

because each school assesses transfer credit

differently.

Ideally, you’ll start researching academic programs 12 to 18 months before separation. Start by asking yourself a few

questions: what career do I want to pursue, what should I study to reach my career goals, what schools offer the

programs I’m interested in and what are the education benefits associated with that school? Next, consider the

following steps:

13

May 2014

YOU’VE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL –

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND CHOOSE YOUR SCHOOL.

Begin applying for admission to education programs.

Be sure to emphasize your unique military career,

leadership and deployment experiences in your

application essays. Colleges look for students with

different viewpoints, backgrounds and experiences.

If you are asking for letters of recommendation, ask

several months before letters are due to give

recommenders enough time to complete.

Learn about The Common Application to submit one

application for many schools. (only applies for

undergraduate applications)

Remember application deadlines. Submit early if

possible.

Keep complete copies of everything you send to each

school.

As you narrow down your list, visit the schools if

possible.

Evaluate reported student success, career placement,

cost, location and cultural fit when making your

decision.

Contact academic advisor to discuss required

courses, course load, scheduling, and availability of

veteran resource programs on campus or in the

community.

Find out if the school has a student veteran group on

campus. If so, consider talking with some of the

members to learn more.

Complete required financial aid applications, GI Bill,

scholarship, fellowship and other sources of funding.

Join veterans group(s) on your campus. Student

Veterans of America can help identify local chapters

and veterans who are active in those chapters.

Once you graduate, take a look at the career steps

we’ve included above.

14

May 2014

NAVIGATING YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS.

Contact your Transition Assistance Program

counselor to help you understand how to apply for and

receive GI Bill and Tuition Assistance benefits.

After you transition out of the service, contact the VA

and begin the education benefits process.

Determine what education benefits are available

where you plan to relocate. In some cases, certain

states have separate higher education benefits solely

for veterans, which include reduced or free tuition at

public universities; supplemental funding for education

at any university in the state; training and education

programs related to your military career; and civilian

licensure or certification. Start with the state veterans

department (note: they are named differently in most

states). Some states require you to be a resident of

that state, while others do not.

Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. This tool will help to

guide your school choices by comparing education

costs, culture and geography, and academic

graduation and placement outcomes. Further, the

office of admissions at colleges and training

institutions can provide you with information.

If you will have a service connected disability rating,

consider how you may use Vocational Rehabilitation

and Employment benefits for education and training

leading to a career.

15

May 2014

YOU’VE DECIDED TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

Do Your Homework! Business ownership is not for

everyone, so take the time to understand the

implications of business ownership for:

• Yourself

• Your Family

• Your Lifestyle

Consider broadly the advantages and disadvantages

of the various paths to business ownership, such as

franchising, versus new venture creation, versus

purchasing an existing business versus joining a

family business.

If you are still in transition from active service,

participate in the “Entrepreneurship Track” of the

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshop.

• As part of TAP, you can also register for Operation Boots

to Business, an 8-week entrepreneurship program for

transitioning service members operated by the U.S.

Small Business Administration (SBA) and Syracuse

University (SU).

Position yourself for success by leveraging the many

resources and supportive services available to

veteran-business owners.

• Visit the Veteran-Owned Business page on the SBA’s

website, where you will find many helpful resources

including how to write a business plan, financing your

venture, how to become a government contractor, and

many others.

Seek out a mentor. Many veterans like yourself have

leveraged business ownership as a post-service

vocation, and their experience is priceless with regard

to navigating your own entrepreneurial journey.

Once you get your business off the ground, consider

registering as a veteran-owned or service-disabled

veteran-owned business with the U.S. Veterans

Administration. This is particularly important if you

plan on doing business with the government.

If your plans include supplying other large businesses,

start by reviewing the National Veteran-Owned

Business Association’s list of “Best Corporations for

Veteran-Owned Businesses.”

If you think you need additional education, take a look

at the top 25 undergraduate colleges and the top 25

graduate schools for entrepreneurship.

16

May 2014

ABOUT THE 100,000 JOBS MISSION

Launched in 2011, the 100,000 Jobs Mission is a coalition of over 140 companies committed to hiring a total of

200,000 U.S. military veterans by 2020. The coalition's companies have collectively hired more than 117,000

veterans through the end of 2013. For more information on the 100,000 Jobs Mission, visit jobsmission.com.

Legal Disclaimer JPMorgan Chase is not responsible for, and does not provide or endorse the third-party site's products, services or other content listed

below. Chase's privacy notice and security practices do not apply to the sites listed below, so please review the third party's privacy and

security practices.

The inclusion of web links in this document does not constitute an endorsement of or imply any support or sponsorship of the views,

information or any products or services contained therein by JPMorgan Chase & Co, it affiliates, or the members of the 100,000 Jobs

Mission. Chase's privacy notice and security practices do not apply to the sites listed above, so please review the third party's privacy and

security practices.

LinkedIn is a trademark or registered trademark of LinkedIn Corporation.

17

• Trytodevelopaplan12-18monthsout.• Researchyouropportunities:

jobmarket,training,schoolorentrepreneurship.

• Assembleyournetwork,draftyourresumeandcreateaprofileonLinkedIn.

• AttendtheTransitionAssistanceProgramworkshop.

• ContacttheVAandbegintheeducationbenefitsprocess.UsetheGIBillComparisonTool.

• Determineifyoucanobtaincoursecreditrelatedtoyourmilitaryexperienceandtraining.

• Focusonacademicinstitutionswithstrong,veteran-friendlyreputations.

• PrepareandschedulecollegeentryexamssuchasCLEP,SAT,GRE,LSATorGMAT.

• JoinalocalchapterofStudentVeteransofAmericaoranotherVeteransServiceOrganization.

• ForApprenticeship,Licensing,CredentialingorCertificationopportunities,enrollintheVeteransCareerTransitionProgram(VCTP)and/orcheckouttheRegisteredApprenticeshipProgramandtheNationalResourceDirectory.

• Tostartabusiness,visittheInstituteforVeteransandMilitaryFamiliesatSyracuseUniversity(IVMF)foralistofentrepreneurshipprogramsforveterans.

• RegisterforOperationBootstoBusiness.

• VisittheVeteran-OwnedBusinesspageontheSmallBusinessAdministrationwebsite.

• Continuetoexpandyournetwork;consultandnetworkwithotherveterans.

• UpdateyourresumeandLinkedInprofile;enrollinthefreeupgradeforveterans.

• Becomefamiliarwithonlinejobresources,suchasVeteranTalentExchange(VTX),indeed,idealist,USAJOBS,andMyNextMoveforVeterans.

• ReviewJobsMission.com,Hero2Hire,andGetSkillstoWorkforcareerswithmilitary-friendlycompanies.

• VisitHiringOurHeroesforupcominghiringfairsbylocation.

• Researchjobopeningsandsubmitapplicationstojobpostingsofinterest.

• Practiceinterviewing.

• Acceptthejoboffer,schoolorprogramyoubelieveprovidesthebestprospectforyourcareerdevelopment.

• Findamentorandcontinuetogrowyournetwork.

• NetworkwithotherveteransatyourcompanyorschoolusingLinkedIn.

• Considercommunityvolunteeropportunities.

• Continuetobuildonyourtransitionplantoaddressyournextgoals.

Formoreresourcesandtips,visit:veteranjobsmission.com/veterans/transitionfieldguide

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